Pilot proposals should be e-mailed to the appropriate research program associate at any time throughout the year. Those submitted before January 15th will be discussed at the March research board meeting, and those submitted before July 15th at the September research board meeting.

TAP proposals should be e-mailed to the sea lamprey research program associate by January 15th to be discussed at the April Sea Lamprey Control Board meeting or August 15th to be discussed at the October Sea Lamprey Control Board meeting.

The category of "new investigator" is a designation, not a separate funding category. New investigators are more likely to be invited to present their proposed work to the research boards in March, as this is an opportunity for the boards to become acquainted with new researchers in the Great lakes community. However, the new investigator designation does not provide any funding advantage. New investigators are strongly encouraged to contact appropriate theme leaders (Fishery themes, Sea Lamprey themes) or the Science Director (amuir@glfc.org) to discuss project ideas during pre-proposal development. For more information see the new investigator criteria.

The Board of Technical Experts evaluates research proposals based on the criteria below:

Scientific merit of proposals: Every research proposal submitted will be subject to review by scientific peers with demonstrated expertise in the proposal topic area. Peer review evaluates the proposed research based on scientific merit, rationale, innovativeness, budget, logistics, and qualifications of the proponents. Investigators submitting proposals should review the peer review form prior to proposal preparation. Projects must be non-duplicative with other projects.

Relationships to fishery agency and Commission programs: Research projects will have high funding priority if they directly relate to the research themes, or the research priorities identified by the Lake Committees. Projects will be evaluated against information needs described by the theme under which they are submitted or information needs described by the Lake Committees' research priorities. Projects that demonstrate integration across two or more themes are also a high priority for funding.

Importance to conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainability of fisheries: Research projects will have high funding priority if they relate to a species of conservation or rehabilitation concern, or if they are critical to the achievement of healthy Great Lakes ecosystems.

Past performance: Project leaders should have demonstrated expertise required to complete the project or have co-investigators or appropriate partnerships with other organizations to meet all requirements of the project. Capability to finish projects through peer-reviewed publication is essential.

The Sea Lamprey Research board evaluates research proposals based on the criteria below:

Scientific merit of proposals: Every research proposal submitted will be subject to review by scientific peers with demonstrated expertise in the proposal topic area. Peer review evaluates the proposed research based on scientific merit, rationale, innovativeness, budget, logistics, and qualifications of the proponents. Investigators submitting a proposal should review the peer review form prior to proposal preparation. Projects must be non-duplicative with other projects.

Relationships to sea lamprey control or Commission programs: Research projects will have high funding priority if they if they have high potential to improve sea lamprey control or directly relate to the research themes or research priorities identified by the Sea Lamprey Control Board (SLCB) and its task forces. Projects will be evaluated against information needs described by the theme under which they are submitted or information needs described by SLCB Board research priorities. Projects that demonstrate integration across two or more disciplines that fit within themes are also a high priority for funding.

Past performance: Project leaders should have demonstrated expertise required to complete the project or have co-investigators or appropriate partnerships with other organizations to meet all requirements of the project. Capability to finish projects through peer-reviewed publication is essential.

What are common reasons for a proposal not being funded?

Relevance to management or the Commission’s mission is low or poorly described.

Objectives are poorly formulated. Research objectives are statements that are related to scientific understanding based on interpretation of data analysis; objectives are not methodological steps (e.g., collect data, conduct experiments, analyze data, write report). Objectives identify a pattern, process, or relationship among variables to be tested, compared, or described, and can be used to evaluate progress of a project. Objectives should be worded to reflect the research questions to be answered, the hypotheses to be tested, and the processes to be described. A set of objectives are ideally related to each other. When little information exists to formulate questions and hypotheses, then descriptive research objectives are appropriate. The programs fund basic and applied science, both hypothesis-driven and hypothesis generating.

Funded Projects:

What are my reporting requirements?

You will need to submit a progress report at the end of each year of your project except the final year. At the end of the final year you will submit a completion report. You will be notified of your reporting deadlines in the project initiation e-mail, and will receive a reminder e-mail one month before each report is due.

What if I experience delays in my proposed timeline and cannot complete my project on time?

No-cost extensions are available in certain situations. To find out if you qualify send a short description of the project’s current status, reasons for the delay, and anticipated new schedule of completion to the appropriate research program associate.

What is your policy on publication costs?

The Commission covers costs for publications resulting from Commission-sponsored research. See our publication policy for more detail.

The Great Lakes Fishery Commission was established in 1955 by the Canadian/U.S. Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries. The commission coordinates fisheries research, controls the invasive sea lamprey, and facilitates cooperative fishery management among the state, provincial, tribal, and federal agencies.